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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers

The Moyno (Springfield, OH) 2000 CC pump is designed for industrial applications where close-coupled configurations are preferred, but the robustness of a gear joint drive is needed, according to the company. The pump has a sealed gear-type joint drive train, plus a design to efficiently transfer abrasive, high-solid content materials.

WASHINGTON (AP) — David Sandalow starts his five-mile commute each day by unplugging an orange extension cord connecting his Toyota Prius hybrid to an outlet in his brick carport.
His Prius, which was converted two years ago to allow him to recharge the battery from an electric outlet, gets more than 80 miles per gallon and lets him drive 30 miles on a single charge.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) — A Coca-Cola Co. bottling plant in Northampton expects to add about 40 permanent jobs by the time a 16,000-square-foot expansion is completed.
The $33 million project announced Monday will allow the plant to produce more bottled and cartoned juices in addition to the Vitamin Water and Powerade it already bottles at the site.

TOKYO (AP) — The U.S. government has beefed up its investigation into Toyota's Corolla and Matrix vehicles because of a possible engine defect that might cause them to stall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement that it was raising its preliminary evaluation to a more serious scrutiny called an engineering analysis to look into the problems that could cause the engine to stall, not start or to shift gear harshly.

THEODORE, Ala. (AP) — An ammonia leak at a coastal Alabama chicken distribution plant sent more than 120 people to the hospital on Monday, including four patients in intensive care, and forced residents to hide in their homes while warning sirens blared.
At least 29 people were admitted to Mobile-area hospitals, including the four in intensive care.

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Chemical Safety Board slammed Xcel Energy Inc. on Monday for the company's handling of the aftermath of a tunnel fire that killed five workers at a hydroelectric plant, as well as for a host of "troubling episodes."
The board cited the electric and gas utility's failure to cooperate in the agency's probe, and said that investigators had to turn to the the U.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden said Monday that U.S. automakers will thrive in the coming years despite the economic challenges still facing the industry.
Addressing auto workers, Biden painted a rosy picture of an industry that only a year ago was facing questions about whether it could survive and still is struggling to sell cars and other vehicles.

These are complex challenges, but it’s not a fad. There’s a lot of dialogue about this issue, but fundamentally the issues that have sparked this movement will continue to be challenging going forward. To me, sustainability is not just about the messaging you deliver to the world, it’s all about what you do to help ensure your business will thrive and be increasingly sustainable in the future.

Logistical challenges and inefficiencies are often unwanted byproducts of a globalized industrial distribution enterprise.
AquaPhoenix, a U.S. manufacturer and distributor of water treatment chemicals, was a company whose global presence and reliance on outsourcing necessitated a reorganization of its international supply chain.

Watts Aware, from Sensor Energy, Inc. (Buffalo Grove, IL) is a new way to remotely monitor and analyze electrical power usage within an industrial facility. According to the company, the tool allows inefficient operational practices to be quickly identified and corrected. Watts Aware can be installed within an hour, without interrupting the operational status of the equipment to be monitored, thus avoiding costly shutdowns.

The 110 Gallon Chip Trapper from EXAIR (Cincinnati, OH) offers a fast, easy way to clean large coolant sumps, according to the company. The Chip Trapper removes solids — such as chips, swarf, and shavings — out of used coolants and other liquids, and is ideal for use on machines with parts washers, tanks, and storage containers.

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products (Florence, SC) introduces the Origo MIG family of welders — including the MIG 320, 410, and 510 — all of which offer a wide current and voltage range that simplify optimizing settings for a wide variety of filler metals and gases. Made with a strong galvanized metal casing designed to withstand harsh environments, the Origo family features large wheels, sturdy lifting eyelets, and a standard undercarriage for easy forklift transport.

Chicago Pneumatic (Rock Hill, SC) has introduced the CP6720, a new 1/2” impact wrench that delivers speed, power, and durability for industrial maintenance. The impact wrench features 425 ft-lbs. of torque, plus a one-hand push button for forward and reverse operation. A four-position regulator allows for better control of assembling bolts and other fasteners, according to the company.

Tom Grant has served as Chairman and CEO of ThingMagic since 2001. Prior to joining ThingMagic full-time as CEO in 2004, he was an early stage venture investor and business advisor to Boston's high technology companies. He is founder and managing partner of Protos, and general partner for Applied Technology, both early stage venture investment funds.

Between the U.S. Recovery Act, which included funding to stimulate training for high, tech, green manufacturing jobs and the National Export Initiative, the U.S. government has a strong interest in companies looking to export clean technology products to India and China.
Manufacturing.net sat down with Suresh Kumar, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General for the U.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose modestly Monday as investors tentatively moved back into the market after a fresh round of merger and acquisition activity.
There are no major economic reports due out Monday that could provide insight into the pace of recovery, so traders are turning their attention to corporate news.

PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) — Hewlett-Packard Co. is bidding $1.5 billion for data storage provider 3Par Inc., just a week after rival Dell Inc. agreed to acquire the company for $1.13 billion.
HP and Dell have been looking to expand beyond personal computers over the past few years in a search for bigger profits.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The chief executive of a leading Taiwanese LCD screen maker has been barred from leaving the U.S. during a U.S. Justice Department probe into alleged price-fixing, the company said.
Hsinchu-based AU Optronics Corp. said in a statement filed Saturday with Taiwan's Stock Exchange that a U.

ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. (AP) — By 6:15 a.m. most days, Fred's Restaurant once hopped with International Paper workers stopping for a cup of coffee or breakfast before heading on to work the day shift at the paper mill.
"People used to sit in the parking lot and wait for me to unlock the doors at 6 a.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — After 25 years with General Motors, Renee Pipkins lost her job as an automotive engineer in Michigan last year and decided to hit the road literally.
She and her husband, a retired GM millwright, are taking on new careers as truck drivers, where they see more job security.